‎Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND): Everything You Must Know in 2025

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‎The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) was established under the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, to provide interest‑free loans to students attending public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The Fund officially kicked off operations in May 2024, with a mission to eliminate the financial barriers to higher education.
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‎Who Is NELFUND and Why It Matters
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‎NELFUND is a federal initiative aimed at supporting indigent students through tuition support and upkeep allowances. Under the leadership of Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr, the Fund operates transparently and efficiently, with monthly updates on registrations and dispersals.
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Registration & Disbursement Figures (2024–2025)
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‎By June 1, 2025, over 610,508 students registered, with 567,798 approved applications and N56.8 billion disbursed, including N30.1 billion in tuition fees and N26.6 billion in upkeep allowances across 198 institutions.
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‎As of February 3, 2025, NELFUND had received 364,042 applications, approved 192,906, and disbursed N20 billion for tuition plus N12.8 billion as monthly upkeep to 169,114 students.
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‎Who Can Apply?
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‎Eligibility includes:
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‎Nigerian students admitted to public universities, polytechnics, colleges or vocational institutions
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‎Individuals whose parents’ or guardians’ annual income falls within NELFUND thresholds
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‎Applicants must provide valid NIN, matric/JAMB number, passport photograph, and acceptable guarantors.
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‎Recent expansions have onboarded 22 more state-owned tertiary institutions, bringing the total to 108 institutions now eligible for NELFUND loans.
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What the Loan Covers
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‎Tuition fees disbursed directly to the institution
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‎Upkeep allowance of ₦20,000 per month paid into the student’s bank account
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‎Interest-free structure: No interest charged during study and grace period
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‎Structured repayment begins two years after NYSC or upon securing employment.
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How to Apply via Official Portal
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‎1. Visit the NELFUND application portal at nelf.gov.ng
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‎2. Register using JAMB/matric number, email, phone, and NIN
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‎3. Upload required documents like admission letter, ID, and guarantor details
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‎4. Monitor your application dashboard for institutional verification and approval updates
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‎Loans are disbursed to institutions or student accounts once your application is approved and verified.
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‎Challenges & Transparency Measures
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‎Students have complained about receiving “no school information found” errors, especially freshers in 100-Level.
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‎Some institutions rejected or withheld funds inappropriately—leading NELFUND to issue legal warnings.
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‎NELFUND has called out fake portals, urging students to avoid fraudulent links.
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‎Future Outlook
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‎By 2028, NELFUND plans to extend the loan scheme to private tertiary institutions. While currently prioritizing public institutions, it aims for broader inclusivity in the near future.
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‎Multiple funding sources, including a ₦50 billion injection from EFCC-recovered funds, are helping to scale operations.
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‎Quick Overview
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‎Feature Details
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‎Launched May 24, 2024
‎Applications received Over 610,000 by June 2025
‎Approvals ~568,000 applicants
‎Total disbursed ₦56.8 billion
‎Interest Interest‑free during study and grace period
‎Repayment starts 2 years post-NYSC or upon employment

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‎Final Thoughts
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‎The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is making education access significantly more equitable. While challenges remain—such as onboarding delays and misinformation—the loan fund continues to grow in reach, impact, and transparency. If you’re eligible and attend a qualifying institution, visit the official portal now to apply and join thousands benefiting from this initiative.
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